Lowering speed limits raises stress

Lowering the speed limits on the Oxley Highway as proposed by the NSW Roads and Maritime Services would lead to a potentially dangerous rise in rider stress levels, according to a submission to a Senate inquiry.

His theory is based on research into stress levels by human behaviour researcher Chris Welford. It shows that people perform better when their stress level is moderate and worse when it is too low and too high.

Therefore, a rider’s performance is degraded whether they are riding too fast or slow for the conditions. That makes them more vulnerable to crashing.

The start of the Oxley Highway mountain section

The NSW Roads and Maritime Services had decided to decrease speed limits in several sections of the Oxley Highway to decrease the number of crashes.

However, it could cause greater motorist stress and actually lead to an increase in crashes.

The first speed zones were lowered near Long Flat in September. Since then, there has been a backlash from the community, businesses, politicians and riders. A petition has also gathered about 7000 signatures.

At Andrews Park on Cameron Street in Wauchope, assembling at 9am in the carpark for a 10am departure.

Beside the Walcha Oval in Pakington St Walcha, behind the Royal Café, assembling at 9am for a 10am departure.

Both groups are expected to arrive at Gingers Creek Roadhouse by 11.30am for the rally meeting. There is plenty off-road parking available in a grassed paddock. It is suggested riders bring a chock for their sidestands.

Planned speakers are Ken Healey, MCC of NSW chairman Christopher Burns, local business people and a local politician.

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6 Comments

My God, that so-called report is probably one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard. Going slower increases stress indeed! I’ve been a motorcyclist for over 30 years, riding in all weathers, solo interstate touring, commuting for over 15 years, and have taught with the Road Safety Council so I’m pretty confident I know what I’m talking about. Let’s just agree that some of us simply don’t want to go slower on the Oxley and leave it at that. This sort of thing just makes us look stupid.

Ride around at half the speed limit for a week, which is basically what NSW Roads is trying to do, & you’ll get the idea.
Faster (but less pleasant) method is to tell people living from Walcha to Wauchope you want the speed limits lowered.

I’m all for this, I really am. Done the Oxley many times and will be there again this weekend.
Sorry to be a tiny bit niggly, but why use a picture of a rider cornering with most of his body and half the bike leaning over the double lines? Seems just to give the wrong impression to me…

We have a lot of people making laws for motorcyclists and I suspect that most of them have never even been on a motorcycle.

In the interests of better road safety, I propose:
1) That all laws pertaining to motorcyclists can only be passed by people who actively ride a motorcycle.
2) All new drivers must spend at least one year actively riding a motorcycle on public roads before they can progress to a car licence (with some obvious exceptions like disabilities that prevent them from riding motorcycles).